If there is a time in your life in your life where you need more electrolytes than ever than it is during pregnancy. The reason being that changes during pregnancy lead to the alternation of the water and electrolyte imbalance. The increased frequency of urination also leads to your losing electrolytes. And losing electrolytes makes you lose more water as well.
How do these electrolyte mechanisms operate?
Here is a simple way to understand this. There are two main chemical elements that form a part of this electrolyte system – Sodium and Potassium. Sodium is responsible for retaining water inside the cells, while potassium does the reverse. All the cells of the body, including the heart, contain this sodium potassium pump. If this pump fails, it will be fatal for you. During pregnancy, due to frequent urination, these elements are lost, leading to dehydration. If the dehydration is profound, you will go into a state of shock. That’s why, along with water, you need to replenish electrolytes too.
How will I know if I need more electrolytes?
Certain physical signs and symptoms can be used to identify electrolyte deficiency:
- You will feel thirsty all the time
Feeling thirsty all the time is a feature of diabetes, but you will feel the same way when you have electrolyte deficiency. You feel like drinking water continuously. - Pedal edema
Though a sign of preeclampsia and pregnancy induced hypertension, this is also a sign of electrolyte deficiency. When the electrolytes are insufficient, the circulation of fluid in the body is altered, leading to the accumulation of fluid in the extremities. - Constipation
Constipation is very common in pregnant women. Eating good amounts of fiber will sort this out. But if you are still constipated after eating enough fiber, then there must be an electrolyte imbalance that is altering the fluid metabolism of the body. - Headaches
Alteration of the electrolyte balance, along with dehydration, leads to repeated headaches. - High blood pressure
When the fluid balance is mentioned, what comes to mind immediately is the maintenance of blood pressure. Fluids are necessary to maintain the optimum blood pressure. When there is an imbalance, blood pressure goes up. - Haemorrhoids
Due to constipation and constant straining during defecation, there will be a formation of piles in the body. Especially if you are a person prone to hemorrhoids, then you must take adequate electrolytes in the body. - Illness
Electrolyte imbalance may also be an indication of any other underlying illness or infection.
Considering all the aforementioned ill effects, here are the seven reasons why you must avoid electrolyte deficiency:
- To maintain proper circulation in the mother and fetus
The lack of electrolytes leads to low fluid levels, which means that there is inadequate pressure in blood circulation to maintain the flow even to the extremities. - To avoid shock
Low fluid levels in the body lead to shock or a shock-like state. - To avoid pedal edema
Pedal edema is a serious issue during pregnancy. So ensure that you have a proper electrolyte supply, to avoid it at any cost. - To avoid constipation
A regular supply of electrolytes will lead to good fluid circulation in the body; leading to the better motion of the intestines and thereby helping you to avoid constipation. - To avoid high blood pressure
As mentioned earlier, blood pressure has to be maintained at optimum levels. Any alteration leading to high blood pressure is detrimental to the health of both the mother and the baby - To avoid headaches
Headaches during pregnancy are very tricky, as it is very difficult to ascertain the cause. The best way to avoid headaches is to make sure that you have adequate electrolytes. - To avoid illness
Electrolyte imbalances lead to other illnesses that get exacerbated during pregnancy. So you must monitor your electrolytes in order to avoid this.
How to ensure proper intake of electrolytes?
Before the intake of electrolytes, you must make sure that you don’t lose many electrolytes in the first place. For instance, if you go for a brisk walk in a tropical climate, you are sure to lose those electrolytes. You must make sure that you do not engage in any activity that makes you lose a lot of water or electrolytes. If you lose due to unforeseen circumstances, replace it immediately with water and lemon juice (with a pinch of salt). As salt contains sodium, it helps in water retention and also replenishes the electrolytes. Another drink useful or boosting electrolyte intake is tender coconut. A great source of potassium, tender coconuts are very healthy and also help to regulate the temperature of the body.
But never drink those bottled and processed drinks that are advertised as giving you ‘instant energy’. They are just sugary drinks with no nutritional value. They can never help replenish those electrolytes. Also, avoid drinking alcohol as it has detrimental effects on the fetus, apart from being a powerful diuretic. You tend to lose loads of water in urine, and thereby lose electrolytes too.
If you still have any symptoms of electrolyte imbalance even after all these, you must consult a physician.
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